Okinawa Ojima Island | Food, Festivals & Transportation Guide
Ojima Island (Ou Island) is a small offshore island located in southern Okinawa that has thrived on fishing since ancient times. In recent years, its popularity has soared thanks to its famous, affordable Okinawan tempura, fresh seafood delicacies, picturesque coastal scenery, and unique fishing village charm. Because of the many friendly felines roaming its streets, it is also lovingly known as Okinawa's Cat Island.
In this post, I will cover how to get to Ojima Island, recommended tempura spots, seafood markets, and local festivals to help you explore its relaxed atmosphere and plan the perfect day trip!
(There are many outlying islands connected by bridges around Okinawa Main Island, such as Kouri Island, Sesoko Island, and Senaga Island. However, Ojima Island is tiny: driving around the entire island takes only 3 minutes, and walking the loop takes just 20 minutes!)
1. How to Get to Ojima Island
Because Ojima Island is connected to the Okinawa Main Island by a short bridge, the most convenient way to visit is definitely by renting a car and driving (GPS MAPCODE: 232 467 296*06). It takes about 35 minutes from Naha City, making it the most recommended transportation option.
Alternatively, you can get there by local public bus. From platform 9 at Naha Bus Terminal, take Bus No. 51 to "Nakayama" bus stop, followed by a 20-minute walk (fare: 850 JPY). Or, transfer earlier at "Aichi" bus stop to the Nanjo City C2 Tamagusuku/Ozato Line Bus, which takes you directly to the "Ojima Island" bus stop (total fare around 900 JPY). Note that public transit takes significantly longer, usually between 1 to 1.5 hours one way.
(Bus routes vary depending on where you board, such as when coming from other southern Okinawa attractions. Check out this official Nanjo City Bus Map for a clear overview of routes serving Ojima Island. For general bus riding tips, check out my guide on Okinawa Buses.)
2. Ojima Island Food & Tempura Recommendations
Ojima Island is a tranquil fishing hamlet without tons of tourist sights, but Ojima Island food is without doubt the biggest reason travelers flock here. It is no exaggeration to say that most people visit Ojima Island just to eat! The island's signature culinary highlight is undoubtedly Okinawan Tempura.
Okinawan tempura is distinctly different from mainland Japanese tempura. The batter is much thicker, softer, and lightly seasoned, so it tastes wonderful on its own without dipping sauce. Here are the two top-rated tempura shops on the island:
1. Nakamoto Fresh Fish Tempura Shop
This is the longest-running and most famous tempura shop on Ojima Island. Originally a fresh seafood vendor, they started battering and frying unsold catches as tempura, which became an instant sensation. The seafood is exceptionally fresh, and each piece costs only around 100 to 150 JPY. Long queues form during lunch hours, and you could even say Nakamoto is the reason Ojima Island became a famous destination. It is an absolute must-try!
◎ Address: 9 Tamagusuku Ou, Nanjo, Okinawa (Nakamoto Fresh Fish Tempura Shop)
◎ Hours: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed Thursdays)
◎ Parking: Free (approx. 20 spaces)
◎ Official Website: Nakamoto Fresh Fish Tempura Shop
(Nakamoto Fresh Fish Tempura Shop is conveniently located right at the entrance of Ojima Island immediately after crossing the bridge.)
(The specialty is seafood tempura like squid, fresh shrimp, and white fish, but they also serve vegetable tempura, including local farm-grown mozuku seaweed tempura—making it accessible for vegetarians as well. Both the official website and shop counter provide an order sheet with a Chinese menu / English translation, so ordering is stress-free.)
(There are a few outdoor seats beside the shop, but since it is right next to the sea and the food is easy to take away, most visitors grab their tempura and eat on the seawall while taking in the ocean views. The bridge shown here connects Okinawa Main Island to Ojima Island; when I visited, local kids were happily diving into the clear water—such a wholesome village scene!)
2. Ooshiro Tempura Shop
Located slightly deeper inside the island, Ooshiro Tempura Shop offers a flat rate of roughly 100 JPY per piece (sauce and chopsticks cost extra), which is incredibly affordable. They serve a wide range of tempura featuring local Okinawan ingredients like sweet potato cakes, sea lettuce (aosa), and mozuku seaweed. Their menu changes with the seasons, and they also sell shave ice and pork tamago onigiri—definitely worth checking out for foodies!
◎ Address: 193 Tamagusuku Ou, Nanjo, Okinawa (Ooshiro Tempura Shop)
◎ Hours: 11:00 AM – 5:45 PM (Closed Mondays)
◎ Parking: Free (approx. 10 spaces)
(Ooshiro Tempura Shop has a slightly larger covered outdoor seating area. Their signature dish is the Sweet Potato Cake Tempura, an original recipe made by kneading together beni-imo purple sweet potato, beniazuma, and ta-imo taro [Photo by Asacyan via Wikimedia Commons].)
(You will often see more cats gathered around Ooshiro. They frequently approach visitors for snacks, but because generous tourists feed them all day, they mostly nap lazily in the shade once full!)
You might wonder: which tempura shop is better and more recommended? Honestly, both taste fantastic and cost virtually the same. Nakamoto has a longer history, higher fame, and is renowned for fresh seafood tempura. Ooshiro offers a broader variety of snacks, more spacious outdoor seating, and a higher chance of hanging out with the island cats—making it ideal for feline lovers and photographers.
Since Ojima Island is fundamentally an active fishing community, there is no shortage of fresh seafood. If you want raw fish, consider visiting Ojima Island Seafood Restaurant (奥武島海産物食堂) or the Ojima Island Fish Market (Ou Island Imaiyu Market), which specialize in sashimi and seafood donburi at very reasonable prices.
3. Traditional Festivals on Ojima Island
Throughout the year, Ojima Island hosts three distinctive traditional events: the Sea God Festival (Hari / Haarii), the Uminchu Festival (Fisherman's Festival), and the Sun-Dried Flying Squid Tradition.
- Sea God Festival (Haarii): Held annually on the 4th day of the 5th lunar month to welcome summer, pray for abundant catches, and seek maritime safety with energetic dragon boat races.
- Uminchu Festival: Held around early September, featuring ceremonies honoring the sea god alongside lively community celebrations.
- Sun-Dried Flying Squid (Tobi-ika): Occurring roughly from June to October. While not a formal festival, rows of purple flying squid hung out to dry under the summer sun create an iconic island spectacle chosen as one of Japan's "100 Treasures of the Islands."
As you can see, the island's liveliest activities are concentrated during summer. Summer is undoubtedly the most vibrant season to visit Ojima Island! If your trip coincides with these events, you will get a firsthand look at genuine local culture.
(When I visited Ojima Island, I happened upon the local Uminchu Festival. There were seafood-related events, energetic stalls, and live tuna carving demonstrations. You could genuinely feel the excitement and joy rippling through this tight-knit community!)
(Besides delicious street food stalls, there was a charming little parade. And look at this adorable kid!)
(It is quite rare to see horseback riding experiences at a local Japanese island festival!)
(The highlight of the festival was the demonstration of filleting the season's first fresh tuna. For some reason, I kept noticing the little boy watching attentively...)
(If you love lively seafood bazaars like this, I also highly recommend visiting the Top 3 Fish Markets in Okinawa for incredible seafood dining!)
(In the summer months, rows of purple flying squid drying in the ocean breeze are visible across the island. What is simply everyday fishing village life has become an iconic scenic specialty.)
(Okinawa is truly stunning; even a humble rural fishing port boasts crystal-clear waters and an untouched natural environment.)
(If you want to combine Ojima Island with nearby attractions, consider stopping by Okinawa World, Mibaru Beach, and the Peace Memorial Park for a fantastic southern Okinawa half-day or full-day itinerary.)
That wraps up my guide to Ojima Island! Typically, 2 to 3 hours including mealtime is plenty to explore this charming little haven. It is especially recommended for travelers who love freshly fried tempura, sashimi, and relaxed encounters with friendly island cats. I am sure you will fall in love with its serene coastal appeal!